What types of balanced dog food exist?
Updated: Aug 25, 2022
When it comes to buying balanced food for dogs, we realize that there is a wide variety of them, not only of brands but also of the ingredients they contain. The idea of a balanced diet is that it contains the basic nutrients.
From this base, some brands add vitamins, probiotics or food combinations that contribute to its growth and reduce the risk of contracting some diseases.
The important thing is that at the time of purchase you have an initial idea of what you are looking for, that is why we tell you what are the types of balanced food for dogs that exist.
Types of balanced food for dogs
There are different classifications of balanced food for dogs, one of them is taken as a differentiating element its consistency, based on the proportion of moisture it contains. In this sense, there are three well-differentiated types that are the wet products that are canned, semi-wet and dry.
Balanced canned food for dogs
Given the humidity they have, which is approximately 75%, they need an airtight seal and for this reason, most are available in a can. Although you can find them in hermetically sealed bags, called pouches.
Its protein content depends on the brand and varies from 8% to 15%, while the metabolizable kilocalories per kg range from 375 to 950. As this last value is low, the dog needs to increase its consumption.
Without a doubt, they are the tastiest for the dog, but they are the most expensive and difficult to serve and maintain, since they need to be kept in the refrigerator once they have been opened.
Dry balanced food for dogs
The level of proteins that these foods contain are the highest, since they range from 18% to 27%. They contain a percentage of less than 12% moisture, with 7% to 15% fat. As for carbohydrates, it includes between 35% and 50%.
The consumption of this diet releases 1,400 to 2,000 metabolizable kilocalories per kg of product in the dog.
Semi-moist balanced food
In this category are foods that have 30% moisture. The protein level is between 16% and 25%, and 5% to 10% fat. Between 25% and 35% of the feed is carbohydrates, which provide the animal with between 1,200 and 1,350 metabolizable kilocalories per kg of feed.
This is the most sought after category to feed dogs, because they are tastier than dry foods and easier to serve and maintain than wet foods. Its price is higher than dry food and lower than wet food.
What should we consider when choosing a puppy food?
Another classification that you will find in pet stores is due to nutritional quality. In this sense are the balanced foods for dogs No Premium, Premium and Super Premium.
Starting from the basis that all balanced foods cover the basic needs of their species, there are brands that add some vitamins, probiotics or a specific combination of foods that provides greater nutrition and protection against diseases of their own breed or age.
In the following article we tell you which are the best dog foods.
At Omnipets, you will find balanced food for dogs designed according to their size and age.